News
AJ Gallagher buys retail broker Blenheim Park
Arthur J Gallagher International has acquired specialist home insurance broker Blenheim Park.
L&G confirms pet and travel insurance offerings
Major household insurer Legal & General has confirmed it will launch pet, travel and mid-net worth insurance products before the end of the year.
Williams leaves claims under Blanc's new structure
One point of contact for brokers is the main selling point for Axa's decision to merge its commercial and personal intermediary operations, according to Amanda Blanc.
Low cat activity aids Munich Re recovery
Munich Re reported a group operating result of €2.3bn in the first half of the year, compared with a loss of €437m in the same period in 2011.
Crash for cash masterminds jailed following IFB investigation
Insurance Fraud Bureau director Phil Bird has heralded the "unprecedented" custodial sentences handed down to the masterminds behind one of the UK's biggest 'crash for cash' scams.
Top five European news stories
The top five European stories from www.insuranceinsight.com over the past seven days.
Lockton opens Brighton office
Lockton has opened a new office in Brighton to service clients throughout the south east.
Kiln sells South African operation to One Financial Investment Holdings
Specialist insurance and reinsurance underwriting group Kiln has agreed to sell Kiln South Africa to One Financial Investment Holdings for an undisclosed sum.
Lemma downgraded over 'deteriorating Ukrainian economy'
Ukranina insurer Lemma's financial strength rating has dropped to 'B' (fair) from 'B+' (good), reflecting economic deterioration and political uncertainty in its core Ukrainian market.
Biba chairman Homer takes on mentoring role at Merryck & Co
British Insurance Brokers' Association chairman Andy Homer has joined the faculty of Merryck & Co, the global provider of mentoring to chief executives and senior business executives.
Marine market favourable for buyers despite losses
Conditions in the marine insurance market remain generally favourable to buyers, despite a series of natural catastrophes and other significant losses since the beginning of 2011, according to a report from Marsh.
Business as usual at Lark following MBO, declares chairman
Graham Lark has promised clients and staff at his now-independent broker that it will be "business as usual" following the MBO from Groupama that has taken two months to finalise.
Howden buys Indonesian broker
Howden Broking Group has acquired Accette Insurance Group's Indonesian operation, PT Accette Brokers Asuransi, in a bid to to capitalise on a growing affluent community and low insurance penetration in the country.
Purchase of Indonesian broker provides Howden with 'growth opportunities'
Howden Broking Group has completed the acquisition of Accette Insurance Group's Indonesian operation, PT Accette Brokers Asuransi.
L&G premium growth offset by weather losses
Legal & General's general insurance business has been hit hard by summer flooding and the freezing weather last winter, as profit in the first half of the year more than halved to £8m compared with the same period in 2011 (H1 2011: £17m).
Latest AIG share sale to net US Treasury $750m
The US government expects to receive $750m (£481m) from the latest sale of stock held in American International Group.
CILA adds voice to calls for Riot Act reform
The Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters has thrown its support behind calls by the government and the Association of British Insurers to reform the 1886 Riot Damages Act by pledging on-going technical assistance to its members.
Temp Cover eyes £24m turnover target
Short-term insurance broker Temp Cover has hired three associate directors who will play a key role in helping the business double its £12m income in the next three years.
Groupama UK chief exec full of praise for Lark's new owners
Groupama UK chief executive François-Xavier Boisseau has praised the Lark management team behind the acquisition of his firm's majority shareholding, describing the now-independent broker as a "very consistent performer".
Lark completes MBO from Groupama
Lark is once again an independent broker after its management successfully completed the acquisition of Groupama's majority shareholding in the business for an undisclosed sum today.
Ex-E&Y boss appointed LV audit committee chairman
Former Ernst & Young senior partner James Dean, pictured, has replaced Ian Reynolds as LV audit committee chairman.
Industry veteran Driver handed Congregational chairmanship
Congregational and General Insurance has appointed Harry Driver as chairman following David Collett's retirement.
Co-op and Hastings sign up to telematics aggregator Compare The Box
Co-operative Insurance, Hastings Direct and Swinton are set to go live with telematics offerings on Go Compare and Wunelli's joint aggregator offering, Compare the Box.
Ex-Heath director joins HCB
Risk management specialist Health Claims Bureau is expanding its corporate risk solutions team with the appointment of Karen Gamble as head of client relations.